Shuttleworth Collection - Photo by Duane Godwin Shortly after the development of the Scout Experimental 5, the improved S.E.5a was introduced. When it entered the war in 1917, it was superior to all its German opponents. Many pilots preferred it to the Sopwith Camel. It was easier to fly, it performed better at high altitude and its inline engine produced less noise. It was also faster than the Camel, allowing a pilot to break off combat at will. Disdained by Albert Ball, in the hands of airmen like William Bishop and Edward Mannock, the S.E.5a developed a reputation as a formidable fighter. With 54 victories, South African Anthony Beauchamp Proctor downed more enemy aircraft with this plane than any other ace. 207 pilots died in combat and 79 pilots died from non-combat related causes while flying the S.E.5 and S.E.5a during World War I. Units Australian Flying Corps: 2, 6 Royal Air Force: 150, 151 Royal Flying Corps: 1, 17, 24, 29, 32, 40, 41, 47, 56, 60, 61, 64, 72, 74, 84, 85, 92, 111, 145 Specifications Country: Great Britain Manufacturer: Royal Aircraft Factory Type: Fighter Entered Service: 7 April 1917 (S.E.5) June 1917 (S.E.5a) Number Built: 5,205 (S.E.5 and S.E.5a) Engine(s): Hispano-Suiza, water cooled, 200 hp (manufacturing problems) Wolseley W4a Viper, 200 hp Wing Span: 26 ft 7 3/8 in [8.11 m] Length: 20 ft 11 in [6.38 m] Height: 9 ft 6 in Empty Weight: Gross Weight: 1988 lb [902 kg] Max Speed: 120 mph [193 kmh] @ 15,000 ft [4572 m] Ceiling: 19,500 ft [5944 m] Endurance: 2.5 hours Crew: 1 Armament: 1 Vickers .303 (port side of the fuselage) 1 Lewis .303 gun (mounted atop the upper wing) S.E.5a in Action (Aircraft, No 69) John F. Connors, Kevin Wornkey (Illustrator) / Paperback / Squadron Signal Pub 1985 Aces Aircraft Forum Guests Search Copyright ? 1997-2002 Page revised on 09 January 2005